Bridge

Alan Hiron
Saturday 17 December 1994 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Trumping your partner's winner is a play that you tend to associate with the local whist drive rather than top class bridge. It can, however, be a necessary thing - this deal from the Genrali Individual staged in Paris earlier this year was a case in point.

After two passes, West opened One Club (not the greatest opening bid!) and North overcalled with One Diamond (not a thing of beauty, either!) after which the auction livened up. East bid One Heart, South tried One Spade and, after a pass by West, North raised to Two Spades. West doubled (perhaps prematurely, for North might have been considering a raise to game) and all passed. West led a low club to the 10 and declarer ruffed the club continuation. He played off dummy's top hearts and ruffed another club in hand before cashing the two top diamonds and leading a top heart from hand. West ruffed with his jack of trumps and got off lead with his queen of diamonds.

If this is allowed to win there is nothing that West can do to avoid being end-played in trumps and forced to concede declarer's ninth trick. However East rose to the occasion by trumping his partner's diamond winner and leading a fourth round of hearts.Now West was able to ruff high again and he still had a safe exit with his last club. In the fullness of time he came to a third trump trick to defeat the contract.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in